Bayer Told To Cough Up $48M In Rice Contamination Suit

Law360, New York (December 8, 2011, 2:07 PM EST) -- The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a $47.9 million verdict against Bayer AG and its affiliates in a suit brought by rice farmers claiming they suffered heavy financial losses after Bayer's genetically modified rice contaminated their crops, also finding the state's $1 million punitive damages cap unconstitutional.

More than 10,000 rice farmers have slammed Bayer and its CropScience unit with lawsuits over the contamination, which they said hindered rice exports to the European Union, Mexico, Russia and other countries averse to importing genetically engineered crops....